More than 60 British children are trapped in northeast Syria after fleeing IS-held areas – around double the estimated figure previously reported.
The majority are younger than five years old and are suffering in dire conditions in desolate camps, Save the Children disclosed.
Others have been displaced yet again following the recent escalation in fighting.
Older children who lived under Islamic State have witnessed acts of brutality including beheadings and have been left with physical injuries and psychological needs following years of conflict and brutal repression.
Alison Griffin, Save the Children’s head of conflict and humanitarian campaigns, said the children’s lives “have been full of violence and fear” but that with the right care they can “bounce back”.
She said: “They deserve that chance, no matter what they’ve been dragged into by the decisions of adults.
“For the British children among them we can and must give them the safety they need by bringing them to be cared for in the UK.”
Last month, plans to send members of the SAS into Syria to bring back British children of IS fighters were being considered by the government.
The repatriation plans were being led by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and International Development Secretary Alok Sharma.
Home Office officials have since said the UK would help British orphans trapped in Syria after the Turkish invasion, but would not say exactly how children may be extracted from the country.
Save the Children said that while the recent shift in the government’s stance towards providing “safe passage” for British orphans to come to the UK is welcome, the vast majority of children are with their mothers and have been swept up in horrific events beyond their control.
Turkey-backed Syrian fighters walk in a street in the border town of Ras al-Ain
The aid agency has been working to support children who fled IS-held areas, including foreign children, for more than two years.
It has also been pressing for foreign children to be given the best chance of recovery by being cared for in the safety of their home countries.
After assessing information received through a number of routes, including from outside Syria, Save the Children was able to confirm that there are more than 60 British children in the area.
Children play at the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria
Ms Griffin continued: “Children whose parents are alive are just as innocent as those who have been orphaned. All have been put through unimaginable horrors.
“The foreign secretary has said he wants to ensure ‘innocents are not caught in the crossfire’. To play his part to achieve that, he needs to act now while there’s still a window of opportunity and bring all the UK’s children home”.
More than 60 British children are trapped in northeast Syria after fleeing IS-held areas – round double the estimated determine beforehand reported.
The bulk are youthful than 5 years previous and are struggling in dire circumstances in desolate camps, Save the Children disclosed.
Others have been displaced but once more following the current escalation in preventing.
Older children who lived underneath Islamic State have witnessed acts of brutality together with beheadings and have been left with bodily accidents and psychological wants following years of battle and brutal repression.
Alison Griffin, Save the Children’s head of battle and humanitarian campaigns, stated the children’s lives “have been full of violence and concern” however that with the proper care they will “bounce again”.
She stated: “They deserve that likelihood, it doesn’t matter what they have been dragged into by the choices of adults.
“For the British children amongst them we are able to and should give them the security they want by bringing them to be cared for in the UK.”
Final month, plans to ship members of the SAS into Syria to convey again British children of IS fighters have been being thought of by the authorities.
The repatriation plans have been being led by International Secretary Dominic Raab and Worldwide Growth Secretary Alok Sharma.
Residence Workplace officers have since stated the UK would assist British orphans trapped in Syria after the Turkish invasion, however wouldn’t say precisely how children could also be extracted from the nation.
Save the Children stated that whereas the current shift in the authorities’s stance in direction of offering “secure passage” for British orphans to come back to the UK is welcome, the overwhelming majority of children are with their moms and have been swept up in horrific occasions past their management.
Turkey-backed Syrian fighters stroll in a road in the border city of Ras al-Ain
The help company has been working to help children who fled IS-held areas, together with international children, for extra than two years.
It has additionally been urgent for international children to be given the finest likelihood of restoration by being cared for in the security of their residence international locations.
After assessing info obtained by means of a quantity of routes, together with from exterior Syria, Save the Children was capable of affirm that there are extra than 60 British children in the space.
Children play at the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria
Ms Griffin continued: “Children whose mother and father are alive are simply as harmless as those that have been orphaned. All have been put by means of unimaginable horrors.
“The international secretary has stated he needs to make sure ‘innocents aren’t caught in the crossfire’. To play his half to realize that, he must act now whereas there’s nonetheless a window of alternative and convey all the UK’s children residence”.